SC Senate passes 'Read to Succeed' bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The Senate has passed a bill aimed at boosting students' chances of success through an expansion of 4-year-old kindergarten and early intervention in reading.

Senators voted 36-6 on Wednesday on a bi-partisan compromise of the so-called Read to Succeed bill.

It combined Democrats' push to make 4-year-old kindergarten available to all at-risk students with Republicans' bill aimed at ensuring students can read by fourth grade. It calls for a coordinated focus on reading that includes reading coaches, summer reading camps and teacher training.

Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, students still struggling to read by the end of third grade would be held back for intensive help.

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler got teary-eyed after its passage, as he dedicated the vote to all South Carolinians who don't read well.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.